Opening the evening for Kurt Vile & The Violators was the all-female trio, Horsegirl.
Horsegirl is an acclaimed American indie rock and post-punk trio made up of best friends Nora Cheng (guitar, vocals), Penelope Lowenstein (guitar, vocals), and Gigi Reece (drums). Originally formed in Chicago in 2019 while still in high school, the band later relocated to New York City. Their music takes a minimalist, somewhat monotone avant-pop approach, making them an intriguing choice as the opening act for what was to come later in the evening. They lean heavily into experimentation and texture, incorporating synths and other sonic elements into their songs, while their understated vocals are often deliberately buried beneath the layers of sound. The result is a raw, atmospheric performance that feels more focused on mood and sonic exploration than traditional song structures.
